Illinois State Police
News Release

Statewide Serious Crime

Press Release Date:
April 26, 1998
|| Archived October 7, 2002

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Illinois State Police Director Terrance W. Gainer announced today a decrease in statewide crime for the fifth time in the last six years. Reports of violent crime decreased 4.3 percent, while property crimes were down 2.3 percent. Overall, the number of serious crimes reported in Illinois in 1997 were down 2.6 percent from the year before.

"We saw this trend emerge in 1992, and except for 1994, when we saw a fractional increase, the trend has been positive ever since," said Gainer. "Local police chiefs, sheriffs and their communities should be commended for their effective work in significantly contributing to a reduction in crime."

All violent crimes were down for the year, with reports of murder representing the greatest downturn, shrinking by 6.3 percent. Reports of robbery were down by 6 percent, while aggravated assault/battery decreased 3.5 percent and criminal sexual assault declined 2.5 percent.

Gainer pointed to a combination of factors which contribute to this healthy trend: 1) effective community policing and problem solving strategies, 2) more police officers, 3) parental and community involvement, 4) drug and alcohol treatment programs, 5) reasonable gun laws, 6) incarceration of repeat offenders, 7) a good economy, 8) the aging of offenders.

"Statewide, we saw nearly 17,000 fewer crimes committed in 1997 than the year before," Gainer said. "That means 17,000 fewer friends and loved ones had to endure the pain of being victimized by crime. That’s the real story behind the numbers," he concluded.